Gloucester is a cathedral city and the administrative seat of Gloucestershire in south-west England, built at the lowest bridging point of the River Severn about 170 kilometres west of London and 55 kilometres north of Bristol. Founded by the Romans as Glevum in AD 97 and elevated to a colonia by the Emperor Nerva a year later, the city grew as a medieval pilgrimage centre after the burial of Edward II in the abbey church that became Gloucester Cathedral in 1541. The cathedral's fan-vaulted cloisters feature in the Harry Potter films, and the adjoining College Green and Abbey Precinct preserve a calm ecclesiastical atmosphere. The nearest significant airport is Gloucestershire Airport (GLO), a small general-aviation field 9 kilometres east of the centre, with most commercial travellers arriving via Bristol, Birmingham, or Cardiff.
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Getting to and around Gloucester
The second beat belongs to the cathedral itself. Gloucester Cathedral dates in its present form to the late eleventh century, with the Norman nave and the Perpendicular Gothic east window standing out; the great east window, completed around 1350, is the largest surviving medieval stained glass window in England. The fan vaulted cloister, constructed between 1351 and 1412, is among the earliest and most intricate examples of fan vaulting in the country and doubled as Hogwarts corridors for the first three Harry Potter films. Admission is by suggested donation of GBP 7, with tower tours available on Saturdays at GBP 12. Evensong at 17:30 on weekdays is free and draws a mix of regulars, tourists, and choral music enthusiasts.
The third beat is the historic docks. Gloucester Docks, the UK's most inland port, connected the city to the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel through the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal from 1827. The Victorian warehouses around Bakers Quay, Victoria Basin, and the main basin have been converted into apartments, restaurants, and cultural institutions, including the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester Waterways Trust, and the Gloucester Quays retail village. A harbour tour on the Queen Boadicea II runs GBP 9 per adult for 45 minutes. The Tall Ships Festival, held every two years over late May bank holidays, brings more than 20 historic sailing vessels and pulls around 100,000 visitors across the weekend.